Certain Types of Cancer
What is Certain Types of Cancer?
Cancer occurs when cells in your body grow and divide out of control. Normal cells follow a regulated cycle of growth, division, and death. Cancer cells ignore these signals and continue multiplying, forming tumors or spreading through your bloodstream.
Different types of cancer affect different parts of your body. Colon cancer starts in the large intestine, while breast cancer begins in breast tissue. Each type has unique characteristics, but they share common features like uncontrolled cell growth and the potential to spread to other organs.
Some cancers develop due to genetic factors, while others result from lifestyle choices or environmental exposures. Early detection through screening and blood tests can help identify risk factors before cancer develops. Understanding your personal risk and taking preventive steps can make a real difference in your health outcomes.
Symptoms
- Unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more
- Persistent fatigue that does not improve with rest
- Changes in bowel or bladder habits lasting more than a few weeks
- Unusual bleeding or discharge from any body opening
- Lumps or thickening in the breast or other body parts
- Difficulty swallowing or persistent indigestion
- Changes in the appearance of a wart or mole
- Persistent cough or hoarseness that does not go away
- Ongoing pain in bones, abdomen, or other areas
- Skin changes including jaundice or darkening
Many people with early-stage cancer have no symptoms at all. This is why regular screening and blood testing are so important for early detection.
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Causes and risk factors
Cancer develops when genetic mutations cause cells to grow abnormally. These mutations can be inherited from your parents or acquired during your lifetime. Lifestyle factors play a significant role in cancer risk. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, and lack of physical activity all increase your chances of developing cancer. Environmental exposures to radiation, certain chemicals, and pollution can also damage your DNA over time.
Some nutritional deficiencies may increase cancer risk. Low folate levels have been linked to higher rates of colon and breast cancer in some studies. Chronic inflammation, obesity, and hormonal imbalances can create conditions that favor cancer development. Age is another major risk factor, as most cancers become more common after age 50. Family history of certain cancers suggests inherited genetic mutations that raise your risk significantly.
How it's diagnosed
Cancer diagnosis typically begins with a physical exam, medical history review, and screening tests. Blood tests can reveal important risk factors and biomarkers associated with certain cancers. Folate levels help assess your nutritional status, which may relate to colon and breast cancer risk. Lactic acid testing can detect elevated levels that sometimes indicate cancer cell activity, though many conditions can raise lactic acid.
Rite Aid offers folate and lactic acid testing as add-ons to our health panel. These tests help you understand your risk factors and nutritional status. Definitive cancer diagnosis requires imaging studies like CT scans or MRIs, tissue biopsies, and specialized tumor marker tests. Talk to your doctor if blood tests reveal concerning patterns or if you experience persistent symptoms.
Treatment options
- Surgical removal of tumors when cancer is localized to one area
- Chemotherapy using medications that kill rapidly dividing cancer cells
- Radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells with high-energy beams
- Targeted therapy drugs that attack specific cancer cell mutations
- Immunotherapy to help your immune system recognize and fight cancer
- Hormone therapy for cancers that grow in response to hormones
- Plant-based diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
- Regular physical activity of at least 150 minutes per week
- Maintaining a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and exercise
- Folate-rich foods like leafy greens, beans, and fortified grains
- Avoiding tobacco products and limiting alcohol to 1 drink daily or less
- Stress management through meditation, yoga, or counseling
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- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
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Frequently asked questions
Blood tests can reveal risk factors and biomarkers associated with certain cancers. Folate levels help assess nutritional deficiencies linked to colon and breast cancer risk. Lactic acid can be elevated in some cancers, though this marker is not specific to cancer alone. Definitive diagnosis requires imaging and tissue biopsy, but blood tests provide valuable risk assessment information.
Low folate levels have been associated with increased risk of colon and breast cancer in research studies. Folate plays a crucial role in DNA synthesis and repair. When folate is insufficient, DNA damage may accumulate more easily. Eating folate-rich foods or testing your levels can help you address this modifiable risk factor.
Cancer cells often rely on a less efficient energy production process that generates more lactic acid. This process, called aerobic glycolysis, produces lactic acid even when oxygen is available. Elevated plasma lactic acid can indicate cancer activity, but many other conditions like intense exercise or medication side effects also raise lactic acid. Your doctor will consider lactic acid results alongside other diagnostic information.
Avoid tobacco in all forms, as it is linked to many cancer types. Maintain a healthy weight through balanced eating and regular physical activity. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and foods rich in folate. Limit alcohol consumption to one drink daily or less, and protect your skin from excessive sun exposure.
Screening recommendations vary by cancer type, age, and personal risk factors. Most adults should begin colon cancer screening at age 45. Women should discuss mammogram timing with their doctor, often starting around age 40 to 50. People with family history of cancer may need earlier or more frequent screening. Talk to your doctor about a personalized screening schedule.
See a doctor right away if you experience unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more. Seek care for unusual bleeding, especially rectal bleeding or blood in urine. New lumps that grow or change require evaluation. Persistent symptoms like cough, hoarseness, or difficulty swallowing lasting more than three weeks need assessment.
Getting adequate folate through diet or supplementation may help reduce risk of certain cancers. Focus on food sources like leafy greens, beans, lentils, and fortified grains first. If blood tests show low folate, your doctor may recommend supplements. However, very high folate intake from supplements might have different effects, so work with your healthcare provider to find the right balance.
Family history increases your risk but does not guarantee you will develop cancer. Inherited genetic mutations account for about 5 to 10 percent of all cancers. The remaining cases result from acquired mutations and lifestyle factors you can often modify. If you have a strong family history, consider genetic counseling and more frequent screening.
Quitting smoking has the single largest impact, reducing risk for many cancer types. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise significantly lowers risk for breast, colon, and other cancers. Regular physical activity of 150 minutes weekly provides protective benefits. Eating a plant-focused diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains also makes a measurable difference.
The MTHFR gene affects how your body processes folate. Some mutations can reduce folate metabolism efficiency. Testing may be helpful if you have low folate levels despite adequate dietary intake or if you have a family history of certain cancers. Discuss testing with your doctor to determine if it is appropriate for your situation.